The Light of the World
"later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered
where does it hurt?
it answered
everywhere
everywhere
everywhere."
Warsan Shire
Sometimes I feel crushed by the collective, colossal weight of pain that hides in every street corner of every people group of every time period in human history. A world silently crying out for loving fathers or loving mothers, lost children and friends. A chorus of human voices silently begging to be protected, to be nurtured, to be seen, to be known.
I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The One who sees and hears every one of those voices, and knows them as intimately as He knows every mote of dust, every sparrow, every planet. To me, the sum of human pain is something theoretical and astronomically vast—but not to Him. He remembers every single tear. Come, Lord Jesus- we long for you.
"Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee"
CT Studd
By right, not of anything I have done, but because of what Christ has done for me, I have been adopted into His family, and now have royal blood flowing through my veins. I am called to be a king that mimics the King of kings, Jesus, "who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" I am called to be a king who uses his privileges, strengths, and freedom in any way he can to serve others.
“Some people lie and pretend they’ll never die;
But there is no value in youth, unless it is wise and kind.”
Megan James (Purity Ring)
Proverbs 31 contains verse of a king's mother imparting wisdom to him. She lovingly calls him to remember who he is at all times and in all situations. She encourages him to even let go of luxuries like alcohol (or perhaps, for me personally, activities like binge-watching TV or overeating) while being gentle with those who sometimes use such things to feel a brief pause from their misery. It is for a king to keep a clear mind to perform his high calling: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
There are other, important ways to serve others in the smallest ways. When I choose to eat well and exercise, I am investing in my own ability to be present and patient with others. When I pursue excellence in my work, I am not only creating immediate value for those who decided it was worthwhile to pay me for what I produce, but I am also accumulating experience and skills that I can ultimately use to empower others through wise mentorship and possibly even job creation through entrepreneurship down the road.
Jesus, you know I tend to think in black-and-white extremes. Sometimes when I think this way, I can spiral, becoming anxious and harshly self-critical. Help me to be kind and gentle to all—even myself. You know that none of these lofty ideals are really within my power to live out. Please help me by your Spirit, living and active in me. I love you